Don't believe in anything? Answer this.

[Akuma]

I have seen that we have both religious and non-religious individuals here which is fine.

However, this question is aimed at the non-religious group. So if you don't believe in a divine being, or in an afterlife, what is the point of living then besides temporary amusement as ultimately, if there is no afterlife (assuming you believe that), you will vanish regardless?

 

[The Parakeet]

Well...that's the million dollar question really.

The simple answer is that each one of us charts our own path. We do something that means something to us. Some just party and enjoy the time they have. Others raise a family and help the ones that they love. Some start a business and try to build a fortune. Some take their time to make scientific discoveries. Some work for charities. The options are endless. You just do whatever you feel is right because you gone the next day.

The same could really be said of the religious for the most part. Why bother doing much for material improvement on this Earth if it will ultimately make up a small portion of your true life?

 

[Akuma]

Yes, but with religion, at least the Christian afterlife for instance, your actions on Earth determine whether you'll go to Heaven or Hell, so it's important to avoid getting in trouble for that reason.

Whereas if there is no afterlife at all, and you simply just vanish, you technically could be either good or evil, but ultimately just vanish regardless. However, I see the point you're making.

 

[The Parakeet]

Glad you got my point. Reading it again made me realize it was a little more aggressive than I intended.

It basically just comes down to fulfilling personal philosophy though.

 

[omej]

I have seen that we have both religious and non-religious individuals here which is fine.

However, this question is aimed at the non-religious group. So if you don't believe in a divine being, or in an afterlife, what is the point of living then besides temporary amusement as ultimately, if there is no afterlife (assuming you believe that), you will vanish regardless?

Because the purpose of those people is to live as long as they can for that very reason.

And coincidentally staying away from drugs, crime, and excessive booze just happen to lead to longer lives.

 

[Sited]

I don't understand your question, your asking as if our life on earth is somewhat worthless.. some people would like to enjoy all 85 years of life on earth while they still can and not waste half of it worshipping some God that may not even exist, I mean you can choose and all, but in the end it's just down to the person to make their final decision (by the way I'm a Christian, I just posted in a way to look like I'm an atheist )

 

[Akuma]

Yeah but the main point I was trying to make is that after you vanish, that's it, it's all over. You won't even remember that you existed so any earthly accomplishments will just fade away in your own mind as you won't even be in existence assuming you did not believe in any form of an afterlife. So it would seem pointless to live, at least for me. But I guess those who don't believe in the afterlife have their own goals and a different overall perspective in some cases.

Although I think those who commit suicide probably begin to ponder too much about that vanishing concept.

 

[The Parakeet]

It does certainly lead to some existential angst for a number of people. Most just don't think of it though. Religion and religious thought just don't usually come up. I may not be able to bask in the glory of my accomplishments forever, but that doesn't mean I can have 60 good years.

Just nothing you can do about though. What's the old joke? Growing old is bad but it's much better than the alternative.

 

[RicePudding9]

I'm pretty much non-religious, I don't believe in an afterlife, but I believe in something after we die, ex another life as another person, there must be something after life, but only people that have already died know, and they can't speak it to us, so we won't exactly ever find it out.

 

[kingdogol]

I don't believe in a one and almighty white bearded god, though I do strongly believe in a higher creator, creator god. this is more of an energy if I had to call it anything. I believe the purpose of my life is to make other peoples lives better while going through my own journey to see where feelings and emotions can carry me, in the end everything in the known universe is just atoms and therefore if you and an atom that deflected gravity you could fly etc. I often think to myself. I enjoy seeing where my thoughts take me, so often it is to some of the most unique places and thoughts I could ever imagine. The purpose of life is life. Hope that makes some sense.....

 

[Delta]

I have seen that we have both religious and non-religious individuals here which is fine.

However, this question is aimed at the non-religious group. So if you don't believe in a divine being, or in an afterlife, what is the point of living then besides temporary amusement as ultimately, if there is no afterlife (assuming you believe that), you will vanish regardless?

From an evolutionary perspective, we are simply here to pass on our genes for the survival of our species. I'm completely fine with this - I'll have fun doing it. In the grand scheme of things, my life is pointless. However, while I'm here it is important - the relationships I have, the life I help create. In the end though, as I said, it's simply to reproduce.

 

[The Parakeet]

It actually gets even worse if you really think about it. In 5 billion years our sun will die and our system will fall apart. I doubt humanity will necessarily survive that long, but who knows? Either way, all of our academic and financial pursuits are all for naught in the long run. Heck, if dark energy switches on us, the entire universe will be destroyed in the Big Crunch.

All very depressing. Hence why most sane non-believers just push it out of their daily thoughts.

 

[Delta]

It actually gets even worse if you really think about it. In 5 billion years our sun will die and our system will fall apart. I doubt humanity will necessarily survive that long, but who knows? Either way, all of our academic and financial pursuits are all for naught in the long run. Heck, if dark energy switches on us, the entire universe will be destroyed in the Big Crunch.

All very depressing. Hence why most sane non-believers just push it out of their daily thoughts.

I agree, I doubt we will last that long either. As far as the history of earth goes, we are a very young species. Estimates put us at about 35-150 as far as the number of species we put in extinction each day. It's only a matter of time before we're on of them.